Abstract
The degradation mechanism of $Mo_xW_{1-x}Si_2$ ultrahigh-temperature heating elements fabricated by self-propagating high-temperature synthesiswas investigated. The $Mo_xW_{1-x}Si_2$ specimens (with and without post-annealing) were subjected to ADTs (accelerated degradation tests) at temperatures up to $1,700^{\circ}C$ at heating rates of 3, 4, 5, 7, and $14^{\circ}C/min$. The surface loads of all the specimen heaters were increased with the increase in the target temperature. For the $Mo_xW_{1-x}Si_2$ specimens without annealing, many pores and secondary-phase particles were observed in the microstructure; the surface load increased to $23.9W/cm^2$ at $1,700^{\circ}C$, while the bending strength drastically reduced to 242 MPa. In contrast, the $Mo_xW_{1-x}Si_2$ specimens after post-annealing retained $single-Mo_xW_{1-x}Si_2$ phases and showed superior durability after the ADT. Consequently, it is thought that the formation of microcracks and coarse secondary phases during the ADT are the main causes for the degraded performance of the $Mo_xW_{1-x}Si_2$ heating elements without post-annealing.